La Ponche is one of the best places to see the Saint-Tropez that existed long before the town became an international summer destination. The historic quarter sits directly beside the Mediterranean, a short walk from the Vieux Port, yet its small streets and waterfront have retained much of the scale of the original fishing village.

Walk from the harbour into the old town and the streets quickly become narrower. Pastel façades, shutters, stone doorways and small passages lead towards Plage de la Ponche, a compact beach surrounded by the houses of the old quarter. It is not the beach to visit for the classic Saint-Tropez beach-club experience. Its appeal comes from being part of the village itself.

La Ponche also has an important connection with the cultural history of Saint-Tropez. Artists, writers and filmmakers were drawn to the town well before its transformation into a fashionable Mediterranean destination. The quarter later became closely associated with the Saint-Tropez of the 1950s and 1960s.

That cultural character continues during Les Nuits de La Ponche, when open-air cinema screenings bring films into this historic setting. Watching a film outdoors, close to the sea and surrounded by the old village, offers a very different evening from the restaurants, bars and nightlife elsewhere in Saint-Tropez.

During the day, La Ponche is worth including as part of a walk through the old town. Continue uphill towards the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez for views across the Gulf, or return towards the harbour through the streets around Place de l'Ormeau.

A simple way to explore La Ponche

Morning · walk from the Vieux Port into the old quarter
Late morning · explore the streets around Place de l'Ormeau
Lunch · stay in the old town or return towards the harbour
Afternoon · Plage de la Ponche and the Citadelle
Summer evening · check the programme for Les Nuits de La Ponche

#LaPonche #SaintTropez #CotedAzur #FrenchRiviera #LesNuitsDeLaPonche